Civil rights leader, former EBMUD director Bill Patterson dies at 92

Oakland civil rights leader and former East Bay Municipal Utility District Director William Bill Patterson who had been called the Conscience of the District died at the age of on Tuesday Patterson was the first Black director at EBMUD where he served for years championing equity for the water agencies million customers guided society robustness efforts to address lead in schools and promoted environmental sustainability for the Mokelumne watershed Related Articles Walters Gavin Newsom embraced reparations at first Now he s slow rolling them Why a scholarship for Black California students now has to accept white applicants Supreme Court seems inclined to limit race-based electoral districts under the Voting Rights Act Bay Area universities losing millions in minority grant funding Gov Newsom signs a reparations investigation law but vetoes other racial justice proposals Bill Patterson was a devoted population servant whose exemplary leadership and thoughtful voice strengthened our board and enhanced our ability to serve our East Bay public EBMUD Board President Marguerite Young explained in a announcement announcing Patterson s passing His passion for people his integrity and his readiness to work collaboratively will be deeply missed by his colleagues staff and the multiple residents whose lives he touched Patterson was elected to the EBMUD Board of Directors in representing swaths of Oakland in Ward for years until his retirement in Outside of the water district Patterson was a three-term president of the Oakland NAACP to strengthen inclusion and financing in the East Bay s Black society Current Ward director Valerie Lewis disclosed Patterson s legacy is tied to the success of EBMUD Bill s legacy is woven into the fabric of EBMUD and the East Bay mentioned Valerie Lewis EBMUD Director for Ward He was a mentor a bridge builder a staunch believer in the power of informed decision making and a fierce advocate for the people he served His compassion and conviction inspired all of us to lead with heart courage and purpose Newly elected Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee right is sworn in next to Bill Patterson a longtime civic leader in Oakland at City Hall in Oakland Calif on Tuesday May Dai Sugano Bay Area News Group That includes Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee who described him as a positive force in the lives of generations of Oakland youth She praised him for his population institution and his mentorship to legendary Oakland figures over the years like basketball hall of famer Bill Russell baseball greats Frank Robinson and Joe Morgan and former Oakland Mayor Lionel Wilson Bill was a close friend a mentor and an unwavering champion for Oakland s children and families When I was sworn in as Oakland s Mayor at City Hall it was Bill who held my grandfather s Bible a moment that symbolized our deep personal bond and his role as a steady hand guiding this city s future Lee mentioned Even as our city faced tremendous challenges Bill never stopped making this city better for all of us